Hidden Gem: Rafael van der Vaart (25) Hamburg (Ger) Creative midfielder who finally seems set to get a starting place. Likely to leave Germany this summer and a move to a European giant is not out of the question.

How They Qualified: Runners-up in Group G behind Romania but in front of Bulgaria, Belarus, Slovenia, Albania and Luxembourg.

Previous Best: Winners 1988

FIFA Ranking: 10

Key Fact: The Holland team does not wear the colours of the Dutch flag of today, but instead plays in bright orange. Orange is the historic national colour of the Netherlands, originating from the coat of arms of the Dutch founding father William of Orange-Nassau.

Overview: The perennial underachievers will have to do things the hard way if they are to make any impact on Euro 2008. Drawn in a group alongside favourites Italy and France and the dangerous Romanians, the Orangemen may be looking at an early exit. Van Basten has the quality amongst his first eleven but strength in depth is lacking, leaving a derailed challenge most likely.